Reports questioning Taiwan-Tuvalu ties are nothing but rumors, Ambassador to Tuvalu Andrew Lin said Thursday, adding that the Pacific Island nation would continue to maintain strong, steady ties with Taiwan after Tuvalu’s elections today.
In an article last Friday by the Weekend Australian, Tuvaluan Ambassador to Taiwan Bikenibeu Paeniu was cited as saying that “sources from Tuvalu” said it could follow Nauru and switch its diplomatic recognition to Beijing after its elections today.
Paeniu’s nephew, Tuvaluan Minister of Finance Seve Paeniu, later told Reuters that “Tuvalu expects to review its diplomatic ties with Taiwan after Friday’s election.”
Tuvaluan President Kausea Natano telephoned President Tsai Ing-wen after Nauru switched recognition and “guaranteed” the stability of Taiwan-Tuvalu relations, Lin said.
Tuvaluan Minister of Foreign Affairs Panapasi Nelsone also delivered assurances of the stable ties when congratulating president-elect William Lai, he added.
Tuvaluan Speaker of the Parliament Samuelu Penitala Teo had sent a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu expressing the same sentiment, Lin added.
Tuvalu is holding congressional elections today, in which most of the incumbents are expected to be re-elected, Lin said.
Rumours of “shaky Taiwan-Tuvalu ties” seek to undermine the relationship, he said.
China is attempting to oppress Taiwan by spreading disinformation, he said, advising Taiwanese to be aware of such efforts and not to allow such tactics to sway their trust in the government.
With no political parties in Tuvalu, the newly elected lawmakers are to enter talks and develop factions, with the largest group forming the government and electing the prime minister.
Lin said the Tuvaluan government told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the comments were Seve Paneiu’s personal view and did not represent Tuvalu.
SOURCE: TAIPEI TIMES/PACNEWS
